Clinton Undecided on April 19 Debate

WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, once so eager to debate she ran two ads questioning why her rival wouldn't, has yet to say whether she'll debate Sen. Barack Obama in North Carolina next month.

Both presidential candidates plan to participate in an ABC News debate on April 16 in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania holds it primary days later, on April 22. Obama also has agreed to a debate April 19 hosted by CBS in North Carolina. North Carolina holds its primary May 6.

Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said Monday that the campaign has not made a decision about the CBS debate and is still working through the details.

"I am quite confident that there will be additional debates and that we will work with networks and the Obama campaign to figure out the appropriate location and venue and media outlet," Wolfson told reporters on a conference call.

Clinton ran a statewide television ad in Wisconsin prior to its Feb. 19 primary challenging Obama to debate there as she struggled to regain momentum after his string of victories in February.

The Clinton ad said, "Barack Obama still won't agree to debate in Wisconsin. ... Why won't Barack Obama debate these differences? Wisconsin deserves better."

The contenders have debated 20 times during the presidential campaign. Their last meetings were in Texas on Feb. 21 and Ohio on Feb. 26 ahead of those states' primaries on March 4. Clinton won both contests.

Comments

[JavaCityGal]

Perhaps she's worried about the debate after releasing her tax returns? She may get a question about why the Arabs and Dubai donated ten million dollars to her Presidential Library and Bill tried to help them buy our US shipping ports.

[rojo7449]

You just don't listen to anything other than the pundit spin on things, do you. Research that topic so you understand.

[patriotscholar]

Hillary is always accusing Obama's campaign of attacking her, even if all they do is tell the truth. At least they say the truth, not like her NAFTA, Bosnia, Ireland and SChip, just to name a few. Obama released his earmarks, she won't, and accuses him of attacking her when he mentions it. He releases tax records, asks her to do the same, that's attacking.

[djohn78]

why would you have a debate 6 days after another one? thats just dumb. Hillary is right not to respond, its just a dumb idea since we have had a million debates and they always stress the same dumb policy stuff that we already know.

[m4rk0]

Before Wisconsin she said she wanted one every week. What happened to that line of thought?

[neocon43]

Why debate when you can let Obama debate himself everyday against his hate monger preacher.S­he will be democratic nominee!

[independentNproud]

Based on your theory, Sen. Clinton made a dumb choice in debating Sen. Obama in Ohio on Feb. 26, just 5 days after the CNN Texas debate on Feb. 21. We Americans deserve to hear BOTH candidates debate the issues that matter. Sound familiar? Maybe she'd prefer to tell us "stories" of how she evaded dangerous sniper fire in Bosnia or how she had cookies and tea in Northern Ireland to aid in the peace process. Hey, this would make a great political ad!

[NoMoreHawks]

She's too busy trying to figure out how to help neocons steal the election.

[eshalom]

Neocons who have supported Barack Obama:

[fortuna]

She wants to sand-bag him on the 16th with more made-up crap and not give him a chance to respond on the 19th. I'd say "no" to the 16th if she won't agree to the 19th.

[slow2]

fortuna; now there's a good strategy. Why listen to her laundry list?

[Teritt]

Maybe she plans on dropping out soon.

[angelbravo]

I think she should

[rojo7449]

Having never seen a question of substance come out of Katie Couric, this isn't a debate I would watch. I think the candidates should have the right to decline the debates if the monitors have proven themselves to be biased, or unable to stay on-topic. What new questions do you think Katie Couric can come up with for debate #22? Serious questions.

[rachaelisacancer]

Good point on Couric.

[ddc]

Excellent point.

[EvoMan]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/how-will-hillarys-bosnia_b_92844.html#postComment

[EvoMan]

How come there are no Clinton supporters over here:

[Texas4Obama]

My theory is that since Clinton is losing and more and more truth is coming out about her everyday there are less supporters for her than there used to be.

[harrisjb]

Your theory is wrong. The reason you don't see lots of Clinton supporters on here is because THEY HAVE JOBS THAT REQUIRE THEM TO SPEND THEIR TIME ACTUALLY WORKING and not spewing Obamavomit all over the internet.

[neocon43]

Watch her win the last 10 states.Ope­ration Chaos is just getting started!

[kevenseven]

There are plenty of Clintonians, but if you care to go over to Taylor Marsh's site, that is all you will find.

[slow2]

Too far to walk for what you get at Ms Marsh's place...

[Texas4Obama]

So now the great debater is afraid and unwilling to debate? Hahahahaha.

[venicesurfer]

BUT WHEN OBAMA WANTS TO DUCK OUT OF A DEBATE THATS OK.

[MRb1000]

He did not duck. He agreed and had two debates with her. Did you watch the debate or were you out of the country. Did you chose to post the facts. What are you talking about man. LOL

[neocon43]

Talking about a democratic nominee and wife who have militant aspirations!

[NC4Obama]

Its called hypocrisy

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

venicesurfer only understands hypocrisy as it pertains to anyone but Clinton

[FreedomLoverX]

Obama has yet to duck out. What are you talking about?

[JavaCityGal]

Name ONE debate that Obama has ducked out of. He has participated in 22 debates already-- pleeeeze.

[dukewhitey]

This is disgusting. Check out my theory about her tax returns at http://dukewhitereport.blogspot.com

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

That link isn't working. But here's my theory on her tax returns...­.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Hedge Funds: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ViecghWE3pk

[Ashall]

Quite honestly, with her phenominal "whopper" out there and not brought full-force into the public eye I don't think Madame Clinton wants to have to respond to those obvious questions that would be brought up! Also she doesn't want to have to explain why she and her husband are bad-mouthing a fellow democrat while praising the republican opponent. It's one thing to hoodwink a few people long enough to win an election but it's totally something else to have to face the music on national TV with the entire nation watching. Barack is in the lead and has responded to his detractors - Clinton looks like the spoiler no matter how a person views it. Bill Clinton thought it would make a bigger impact spouting off on the patriotic test in front of VFW members, but he's so ignorant in dealing with military life and thinking that he doesn't realize how offended those guys must have been to have an outsider, someone with NO military background, trying to talk to them about patriotism. Their thoughts and later comments definitely would not pass the censors on this forum...fo­r sure.

[estreya]

Hmmm ... very intersting.

[rmetz74]

Yeesh.